. . . As Court warns defendant’s counsel against delay tactics
A witness of the State Security Services SSS on told a Federal High Court in Abuja that its decision to prosecute activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was based on the security implications of a social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
An operative of the SSS, Cyril Nosike, gave the explanation while being cross-examined by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar.
Sowore is standing trial over alleged false claims made against the President on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
Nosike said the DSS filed the charge because of the potential security risks posed by the post, even though a video of President Tinubu promising to tolerate criticism was also circulated online by Sowore.
He said the video was recorded during the President’s visit to Brazil but admitted he did not record it, did not know who did, and did not obtain any statement from the President regarding the post.
The witness also told the court that he did not have any formal complaint from the President and was unaware whether the President knew about Sowore’s post.
He further said he could not explain why Reno Omokri, who had previously called Tinubu a drug lord, was cleared for ambassadorial appointment.
During proceedings, Sowore’s counsel tendered a certified true copy of a February 19, 2024 court order directing the SSS to release Sowore’s phones, as well as video clips of President Tinubu and Reno Omokri, which were admitted in evidence and played in court.
Meanwhile, SSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, accused the defence of employing delay tactics, prompting Justice Mohammed Umar to warn Sowore’s lawyer against any attempt to stall the trial.
The case was adjourned to February 4 for continuation of Trial
